Understanding Child Myopia

Myopia or short-sightedness causes blurred distance vision and usually starts during childhood; typically progressing until a child stops growing. There are two main risk factors for a child developing myopia are lifestyle and family history.

Lifestyle: It is thought that modern lifestyles can influence the development of myopia. Factors such as low levels of outdoor activity, less light exposure and prolonged near tasks such as reading and gaming on portable devices, can impact a child’s eye health.

Similarly, Family History can play a key role as the likelihood of developing myopia, particularly high myopia, increases when one or both parents are myopic. However, the exact link between a family history of myopia and development of childhood myopia remains uncertain.

To slow the progression of myopia, and reduce longer term eye health issues, myopia needs to be managed from an early age. So if you are concerned that your child might be myopic, or at risk of developing myopia, the first step is to have their eyes tested. If your child is diagnosed with myopia your optometrist will be not only be able to advise on correcting the immediate sight issue but also on how to manage and slow the progression of myopia over time. Thus potentially reducing longer term eye health issues.

For further information please contact us at Forestway Optometry Glenrose.